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MARCH E-NEWSLETTER | MAKE THE CHOICE TO STOP THE CLOT®

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MARCH E-NEWSLETTER | MAKE THE CHOICE TO STOP THE CLOT®

March 25, 2020

March is Blood Clot Awareness Month (BCAM), which is one of the busiest times of the year for NBCA, because it is so important, in so many ways, to the patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and advocates we serve. BCAM provides an opportunity to unite as a community to share resources, stories, and perhaps most importantly, life-saving information about blood clots on a large and more far-reaching scale. Education about blood clots and blood clot prevention saves lives, and your choice can help NBCA make a difference.

MARCH E-NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTS:

As always, NBCA remains committed to our mission to raise awareness and to contribute to a reduction in the number of lives lost due to blood clots, and we are grateful for your support, now and in the future.

Click Here to Read NBCA’s March e-Newsletter

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Events

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August PEP Talk: The Role of PCPs in Blood Clot Diagnosis, Treatment and Care

August 13, 2024

Virtual

View event details »

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Sept. PEP Talk: Blood Clot Incidence Across Diverse Identities

September 10, 2024

Virtual

View event details »

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Oct. PEP Talk: Prevention of Hospital-Associated Blood Clots

October 8, 2024

Virtual

View event details »

%1$s

Nov. PEP Talk: Navigating Post-Thrombotic Syndrome, CTEPH and CTED

November 12, 2024

Virtual

View event details »

View all events »

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"Last July, I started feeling tightness in my ches

"Last July, I started feeling tightness in my chest when I breathed in deeply. I ignored it for awhile, as it didn’t seem to cause any real issues.

A month or so later, I went to my doctor to make sure it wasn’t Covid or another respiratory infection. The doctor ran basic bloodwork, which came out normal, and suggested that I may be feeling some inflammation from the poor air quality outside. She sent me home with an inhaler to try.

A day or so later, I started experiencing pain in the top and back of my left shoulder, as well as in the top of my left ribs. The pain would come and go and would get worse in certain positions, like lying down. As someone who partakes in fitness-related hobbies, I am no stranger to aches and pains. I tried doing the normal regimen of anti-inflammatories, rest, massage therapy, etc. but nothing gave me any relief. It was the worst pain I’ve ever experienced.

I made a follow up appointment with my doctor where she tested my shoulder for injuries, gave me a referral for PT, and sent me home with a muscle relaxer. She sent me for bloodwork again, but this time added a D-dimer test. My regular bloodwork came back normal, but I received a call asking me to come to the hospital for a CT scan due to my extremely high D-dimer results.

I got the CT scan done and the doctor called me while I was still at the hospital saying I need to go to the ER stat. They picked me up in the waiting room in a wheelchair and admitted me to the ER. I was diagnosed with bilateral pulmonary emboli at 29 years old, with only my use of birth control as a risk factor.

Luckily, my hospital stay was short due to my stable vitals and no more than mild strain on my heart. The doctors were surprised I never experienced a DVT or any other typical symptoms and had normal bloodwork and vitals the entire time.

I truly didn’t give blood clots a second thought before experiencing mine. I never thought about them or the risk of them, and I didn’t feel like I heard about them too often. Now that I’m aware, I hear about them all the time and also try to share my experience and spread awareness."

Read more stories at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory

Anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners, play

Anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners, play a crucial role in preventing blood clots. But the cost of these medications can add up over time, making it challenging for some patients to access the treatment they need.

Did you know that a number of pharmaceutical companies offer savings programs for patients who are prescribed anticoagulants? More info at the link in bio!

#stoptheclot #bloodthinners #anticoagulants #bloodclottreatment #bloodclotprevention #medicationsavings #bloodclotsurvivor #bloodclotpatient

New research shows wearing compression socks for o

New research shows wearing compression socks for one year after deep vein thrombosis can help to prevent post-thrombotic syndrome, according to Dr. Suman Wasan of UNC Chapel Hill. She shared this update during our latest PEP Talk on blood clots and compression.

If you’ve experienced a DVT, have you found compression to be effective in preventing chronic pain and swelling associated with PTS? Tell us in the comments.

Watch the full PEP Talk and explore our PEP library at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #peptalk #dvt #pts #deepveinthrombosis #postthromboticsyndrome #ptsprevention #compression #compressionsocks #ecs #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation

"I was at work just sitting down when my heart sta

"I was at work just sitting down when my heart started racing. My Apple Watch alerted me that my heart was beating at 140 bpm, something I had never felt before. I chalked it up to just being overworked and tired.

So I sat down drank some water and took a break. My heart started to slow down and it finally went down to normal. I got up, cleaned up the salon, and left to go to a street fair. I felt fine the entire time I was there.

We decided to get some food elsewhere because the lines were so long. I finished my meal and while I was waiting I felt my heart racing again and fluttering in my chest. The fluttering in my chest made me cough. I started feeling faint so I got up and went to the bathroom, thinking it was just me being exhausted.

On the way home I felt a little faint. I went back to the salon to get my car and my heart started racing again.

At this time I started getting worried. I called my husband and I told him what I was feeling and he asked me if I needed to go to the hospital. I said no I think it’s exhaustion. He said to just come home. So I drank some water and started to drive home. As I was driving I started feeling worse. I prayed to God to let me get to the nearest hospital and I did.

I get to the ER and they do my vitals. My blood pressure was high and my heart bpm was at 200 now. I was very scared. They took me back right away. I told them about a pain underneath my bra cup near my ribs and they decided to do a CT scan. The results came back that I had two blood clots in both my lungs. One was a chronic pulmonary embolism and the other one was a new one.

Needless to say, if I had just driven home and chalked it up to just being overworked and tired, I would not be here to tell my story today. My doctors say I’m lucky.

It was very traumatic. The first couple of months were so hard and I just kept thinking I was going to die. Knowing that people do die from PEs was not helping. I had to meditate in order to ease my mind.

My advice to others is if you feel that anything abnormal is going on with your body, seek medical attention right away."

Read more patient stories at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory

Is your clotiversary coming up, or do you have ano

Is your clotiversary coming up, or do you have another important event on the horizon, like a birthday or anniversary? A great way to bring even more meaning to the milestones in your life is to connect it with a heartfelt request for support for the National Blood Clot Alliance.

Facebook and Instagram have made it easy to set up fundraisers to allow your friends and family to join you in your support of blood clot awareness.

The generosity of our community allows us to continue offering life-saving blood clot resources, support and education. We hope you’ll keep NBCA in mind the next time you’re commemorating a significant milestone in your life! More info at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #socialmediafundraising #facebookfundraiser #clotiversary #makeadifference #spreadgenerosity #bloodclotfundraising #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotsurvivor

"I had a very important job interview that I had t

"I had a very important job interview that I had to drive an hour away for. I was experiencing back pain but I figured I just needed a massage and booked one for the next day.

On my way to and during the interview, the pain got worse. I was sweating and struggling to think through the pain. Needless to say, it did not go well.

The next day I woke up thinking I would get my massage and feel better, but I found I couldn’t move. I went to a walk-in clinic and they told me it was either a kidney stone or a blood clot.

I had had a kidney stone before and this wasn’t it. I got sick from the pain and there was blood when I coughed and that’s when I knew something was really wrong.

As soon as I got to the ER, they did a scan and found that the pain was from a clot that was cutting off circulation to the lower third of my left lung. I also had three clots on my right side that I would never have known about if they didn’t do a scan.

Then the trouble breathing started. I had a close call walking to the bathroom and had to go on oxygen while I was in the hospital, but was sent home after three days.

I had a long recovery, but after seven months I am off blood thinners and almost back to normal, just having some residual pain.

In terms of risk factors, I had been taking birth control and I also had Covid.

I learned through this experience that young people are not educated on blood clots. They should be taught the signs and symptoms and to get help right away if they suspect they have one."

Read more patient stories at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory #bloodclots #pulmonaryembolism #birthcontrol #bloodclotsurvivor #bloodclotpatient #bloodclotawareness #knowyourrisk

HAPPENING TONIGHT! Join us for round two of our mo

HAPPENING TONIGHT! Join us for round two of our most popular PEP Talk to date. We’ll be talking about blood clots and compression starting at 7 p.m. ET with Dr. Suman Wasan of @uncchapelhill.

Join the nearly 400 people who’ve already registered! You can do so at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #compression #compressionsocks #bloodclotprevention #deepveinthrombosis #dvt #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation

"I had lower right leg pain for more than a month. $"I had lower right leg pain for more than a month. I finally went to urgent care in Oct 2022. I described the pain as a pinging inside my leg and I thought it was a stress fracture. The provider asked a few questions about medications. I told her I took tamoxifen to reduce a breast cancer recurrence and that it has a rare side effect of blood clots. She suspected a blood clot and sent me to the hospital, which saved my life. In the emergency department, two deep venous thrombosis (DVT) blood clots were found in my right leg. The ER doctor asked if I had shortness of breath, cough, or coughing with blood. I had been coughing for weeks and had slight shortness of breath. He ordered a CT of my chest, and we found several clots in both of my lungs (bilateral pulmonary emboli). I started enoxaparin injections and switched to apixaban a few weeks later. After several CT scans and MRIs, I was diagnosed with May-Thurner syndrome, chronic venous insufficiency and reflux of my GSV veins. Months later, the GSV veins of both legs were ablated and shut down. In mid-Nov 2023, my medical team felt confident that I could stop taking apixaban. On Dec 1, I began coughing. Three weeks later, I was dizzy and had extreme shortness of breath. I went to the hospital on Dec 20 and two new pulmonary emboli were discovered. I am now in treatment for May-Thurner syndrome and will most likely receive a stent in my iliac vein. Doctors suspect I have micro clots from long COVID. It’s been a journey to find answers and a treatment plan. I am incredibly grateful for the insightful, intuitive urgent care provider who asked the right questions and saved my life. Life is precious. I live for today. This experience has led me to be an NBCA #Thrombassador to provide resources and education. The NBCA Facebook community is a welcoming, accepting forum and a safe place." More stories at link in bio. #stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory #bloodclots #deepveinthrombosis #dvt #pulmonaryembolism #pe #bloodclotsurvivor #bloodclotpatient #bloodclotawareness #urgentcare #healthadvocate #breastcancer #cancersurvivor #longCOVID #MayThurnerSyndrome #CommunitySupport #SurvivorStory #PatientAdvocate$

🌟 Join our community of blood clot survivors! 🌟If you’ve experienced a blood clot and you’re looking for support, advice, and connection, look no further. Join our Facebook support group, created for survivors like you!

In our group, you'll find:

- A supportive community of fellow survivors
- Tips and resources for recovery
- A safe space to share your story and ask questions

You don’t have to face this journey alone – connect with others who understand and can offer support. Together, we can #StopTheClot and thrive!

We hope to see you there! Join at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #mentalhealthmatters #bloodclots #bloodclotawareness #anxiety #depression #healthanxiety

"I was home from college on winter break when I st

"I was home from college on winter break when I started feeling a cramp in my leg after working out at the gym. I thought I may have pulled a muscle. I kept stretching and it felt like it was never going away. The pain ended up moving all the way up to my lower back so I made a chiropractor appointment to get adjusted. It didn't help.

At dinner on New Year’s Eve, I couldn't walk and was dragging my leg. I lifted up my pant leg to find my leg was double in size and dark purple. I called my mom immediately and told her to meet me at the emergency room.

I was admitted to the ICU for a week at 18 years old, having multiple procedures during my time to remove the clots. The clots were so severe they weren't sure I would make it and they also discussed potentially losing my leg.

The doctors discovered my genetic conditions of protein S deficiency and MTFHR mutation. I was also taking the birth control pill. From then on, I was put on blood thinners for life.

Eleven years later, in February 2024, I began to have a cramp-like pain again. I thought I tweaked it working out and kept stretching. One day I woke up with intense pain behind my knee I realized my leg was swollen and slightly discolored. Thankfully, I knew what it was this time and jumped to action immediately.

We are not sure what immediately caused this DVT, but I am so grateful to know the symptoms. I'll now be on a higher dose of blood thinners for life. This was a terrifying, life-altering, and isolating experience, but I am grateful to have a sense of purpose and deeper care for movement, proper nutrition, and mental health."

Read more patient stories at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory #bloodclots #dvt #deepveinthrombosis #proteinsdeficiency #MTFHRgenemutation #bloodclottingdisorder #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotsurvivor

Happy Independence Day! No matter what you are doi

Happy Independence Day! No matter what you are doing to celebrate the 4th, it is important to stay hydrated to keep your body as healthy as possible to prevent blood clots. Drink water, be safe, and have fun!

#independenceday #july4 #fireworks #stayhydrated #hydration #bloodclotprevention #bloodclotawareness #stoptheclot #dvtprevention #peprevention #drinkwater

"I'm 43. My first #DVT experience was at 19 years

"I'm 43. My first #DVT experience was at 19 years old while in college. I was sent home by two different doctors over two months even though my leg was in excruciating pain and eventually could barely walk.

The third doctor knew what was wrong with me within minutes. I was in the hospital for a week with a DVT that started from my foot and went all the way to my groin.

I was on #bloodthinners for a bit, then was taken off them. They assumed the #bloodclot was provoked by #smoking and hormonal #birthcontrol pills and didn't do any blood tests

Several years later, I was 25 and #pregnant. I was put on injected blood thinners during the entire #pregnancy and six weeks #postpartum. My son was six weeks old when I felt that familiar excruciating pain in my left buttock.

I went to the ER and told them I had another DVT. The nurse flat out told me, 'You don't get blood clots in your buttocks,' and said that I had #sciatica, and sent me home with Tylenol.

I went back to the same hospital the next day and refused to leave until they gave me a venous ultrasound. They found a full DVT in my left leg and I was on full bed rest for a week at the hospital.

I had many vascular and hematologist appointments. Eventually, I was taken off of #warfarin.

My third DVT was eight years ago. I think it was from the 18-hour drive we made from New York to Charleston, WV. The leg wasn’t super painful and wasn't any more swollen than usual, but luckily my current doctor said I should get it checked out just to be safe and it was a DVT. Again. I was put on #apixaban this time.

My doctor sent me to a hematologist and vascular surgeon. After lots of testing I found out that I have #MayThurnersyndrome.

A few weeks ago, I had stents put in two iliac veins. If the wound doesn't get better, we're scheduling a simple perforator vein surgery soon, too.

I'm really hoping that will be the end of the nightmare of all my clotting and leg issues. I used to run half marathons and right now I can't run at all and it's making me depressed. I'd love to stop going to wound care weekly. I can't wait to get this all fixed and move on."

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory #bloodclots

Did you know that when you travel, there is an eas

Did you know that when you travel, there is an easy way to communicate that you have a history of blood clots and take blood thinners in the event of an emergency?

@EmergencyDocs advises people to wear medical ID jewelry if they have experienced blood clots, or if they take blood thinners, which can pose bleeding risks.

Many online sellers offer inexpensive, customizable medical ID bracelets, silicone wristbands and necklaces.

The alert should include your major medical conditions, such as a history of pulmonary emboli (PE), medications you’re currently taking, such as an anticoagulant, and the name and phone number of an emergency contact.

Do you wear medical ID jewelry when you travel? Tell us in the comments!

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #travelsafety #medicalalert #medicalidjewelry #medicalalertband #bloodclotrecovery #bloodclotpatient #bloodclotsurvivor #bloodthinners #anticoagulants #bloodthinnerbracelet

As the summer season kicks off and travel plans ta

As the summer season kicks off and travel plans take flight, let’s talk about compression! Wearing compression socks can help blood clot patients improve circulation, reduce swelling, and enhance daily comfort. But did you know that not all types of compression are created equal?

Choosing the right type of compression involves understanding your specific needs and the differences in compression levels, design, material, fit, and quality.

Come as you are to our next PEP Talk on Tuesday, July 9, where we’ll be discussing all things compression with Dr. Suman Wasan, Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

You won’t want to miss this one! Register at the link in bio.

Thank you to everyone who entered our #StopTheHot

Thank you to everyone who entered our #StopTheHot water bottle contest! We’re thrilled to announce the winners!

- Lauren of Maryland, US
- Laura of Castile and Leon, ES
- Lori of Colorado, US
- Denise of New York, US
- Brandee of Texas, US

Visit our online store to shop all Stop the Clot gear: https://shop.stoptheclot.org/

Stay safe during summer travel! ✈️ Planning a

Stay safe during summer travel! ✈️ Planning a trip this summer? Don’t let cramped conditions put you at risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Keep your body moving and take steps to reduce the risk of "economy class syndrome."

Here are some tips to stay safe while traveling:
🔹 Stand up and move around periodically
🔹 Do seated exercises and stretches
🔹 Stay hydrated
🔹 Wear a medical alert ID bracelet or necklace

Your health and safety are important – take these precautions to enjoy a worry-free summer adventure!

More info at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #economyclasssyndrome #travelsafety #summertravel #bloodclotprevention #dvtprevention #bloodclotawareness #DVT

"I’ve always had a history of health anxiety, al

"I’ve always had a history of health anxiety, always expecting the worst whilst hoping for the best. It took many years for me to manage my fears and understand when I was being rational or otherwise.

Toward the end of April 2024, I had this horrible chest pain, directly along the left side of my sternum, that felt sharp and shooting when I breathed in deeply. I shrugged it off as a pinched nerve for the first day, and when it persisted the following day, I contacted my GP who ultimately agreed and said that my anxiety was probably making me feel worse.

By the third day, the shooting pain had lessened but was still intense when I breathed in deeply and this undeniable feeling of dread was looming over me. I called my GP twice, three pharmacies, and eventually NHS 111, the non-emergency number in the United Kingdom. All told me it was almost definitely my anxiety.

It turned midnight on April 25 when, in tears on the phone to my mum, I decided to take myself to A&E (the ER in the UK). I couldn’t shake the feeling that if I didn’t act, I would regret it deeply.

At the hospital, I spent eight hours doing general checkups. My heart rate was skyrocketing, but they insisted that once my blood tests came back, I would likely be discharged, convinced it was my anxiety.

Hour nine passed and someone came out to give me an injection in my stomach. I was told it was blood thinners. Shortly after that, a consultant called for me and told me that my D-dimer was six times higher than the upper limit and that I would need a V/Q scan ASAP.

It took a total of 17 hours of sitting in different wards before a consultant told me that I had multiple unprovoked bilateral pulmonary emboli and that I likely wouldn’t have seen the week out if I had continued to ignore my symptoms. I was sent off with a prescription for apixaban, scared and confused.

Regardless of your age, current health status, or history of anxiety, no one will ever fault you for advocating for yourself. Please, above all else, listen to your body, and don’t let anyone dismiss you without absolute certainty that you are alright!"

Read more stories at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory

In case you missed it, @Newsweek ran an article ab

In case you missed it, @Newsweek ran an article about deep vein thrombosis in its June 16 issue and highlighted statistics from the National Blood Clot Alliance. The article does an outstanding job explaining DVT and pulmonary embolism, and we’re grateful to Newsweek for spreading awareness.

We recommend sharing it among your friends, family and social networks to help others understand what blood clots are, the signs and symptoms to look out for, and how blood clots can be prevented.

Read it at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #newsweek #deepveinthrombosis #dvt #pulmonaryembolism #pe #knowyourrisk #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotprevention #bloodthinners #thrombectomy

🩸 Stay Informed, Stay Safe! 🩸 Join the Natio

🩸 Stay Informed, Stay Safe! 🩸 Join the National Blood Clot Alliance email list and receive our newly relaunched monthly newsletter packed with crucial information on all things blood clots.

Don't miss out on this valuable resource – your health is worth it! Sign up and be part of a community dedicated to saving lives and spreading awareness.

Sign up at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotnews #bloodcloteducation #subscribe #newsletter

🚨 Giveaway Alert 🚨In case you missed it, we’re giving away FIVE of our custom water bottles to promote hydration and help you #StopTheHot this summer!

Want one? Just drop your name and email address by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, June 30. Winners will be announced next week 🎉

Enter at the link in bio!

#stoptheclot #stopthehot #nationalhydrationday #bloodclots #stayhydrated #bloodclotprevention #bloodcloteducation #bloodclotawareness #drinkmorewater

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